Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Peter’s Instruction to the Asian Elders

divine glory? When elders think of Christ as “Chief Shepherd,” their present work is enhanced and His return becomes even more personal. Peter states that upon Christ’s return the faithful elders will receive an “unfading crown of glory.” In this context, “crown” is used sym bolically to represent reward or special honor. The reward is for faith ful, honorable achievement as undershepherds of God’s flock. This crown is unlike any earthly crown made of precious metal or ivy be cause it is “unfading.” It will never wither like a laurel wreath or tar nish like gold. “Joys of royal pomp, marriages and feasts,” writes Arch bishop Robert Leighton (1611-1684), “how soon do they vanish as a dream. . .1 But this day begins a triumph and a feast, that shall never either end or weary, affording still fresh, ever new delights.”l7 The reason for this crown’s unfading quality is that the material used to make this crown is divine, heavenly glory. The adjective “glory” tells us of what the crown consists. In Greek, “glory” is in the genitive case, here a genitive of apposition, meaning that the crown consists of glory. The glory is the reality, and the crown is the metaphor. This glory is Christ’s glory that will be displayed at His appearing. He will give the “crown of glory” to His undershepherds. What a time of victory, vindication, and joy Christ’s appearance will bring to lowly, unnoticed elders who have faithfully shepherded God’s flock! Hard-working, selfless shepherds may not have many earthly goods to show for a lifetime of toil, but some day the Chief Shepherd will come and fully reward His undershepherds. Their work will no longer go unnoticed or unappreciated, for He will reward them publicly before the hosts of heaven. He will bestow on them heavenly honor and glory. All elders are to keep their eyes steadfastly fixed on His appearing, for reward day is coming!

THE NEED FOR YOUNG MEN TO SUBMIT TO THEELDERS

Following his exhortation to elders, Peter adds a brief word of coun sel for the younger men of the church: “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders.” Many commentators think that verse 5 re fers to “younger men” submitting to “older men.” If so, this is simply a general statement (similar to 1 Timothy 521,2) regarding proper Chris tian relationships between age groups. However, because of the use of

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